Honestly, I’m not too knowledgeable on the Battle of Guandu. All I know is mainly the key events such as the Battle of Wu Chao. And how after Wu Chao, Yuan Shao is decisively defeated by Cao Cao.

So in short, this battle is one of overturning numerical disadvantages and ending in total victory for Cao Cao.

But now the Battle of Wu Chao here has ended in a draw, how then should things be settled?

This shouldn’t actually be up to me, but for some reason, it is.

I frowned as I looked at the administrative officials and Ben Chu, whose face revealed no clues as to what I ought to say, and felt an intense pain in my stomach from the pressure that also made breathing difficult.

Haa…

“Ben Chu.”

“Xuan De, if you have anything to say, just say it without worry.” Ben Chu’s face was strangely serious, and this extended to her eyes, as she folded her arms and gave a relaxed look that seemed to tell me that she would accept anything I would say.

But even so, I really don’t know what I should say.

“What does Ben Chu think of Meng De?” I gathered my courage and said this, hoping to get Ben Chu’s thoughts and following on from there.

“Meng De is a treacherous retainer of the Great Han. As a descendent of an ill.u.s.trious n.o.ble family, I ought to remove her.”

“Then, what of the Son of Heaven?”

“The Son of Heaven is still young, and is unable to rule on his own, and thus should be supported by a decisive yet loyal retainer while the Son of Heaven is still young and hand over power in future.”

“Wu…”

Speaking of which, this is the first time I’m hearing Ben Chu speak in formal Court speak. But after listening to this, I understand what Ben Chu means– Ben Chu intends on taking control of Court and support the Son of Heaven herself.

But is it really alright for me to say this?

If I do, then the war will clearly continue on. And history will likely return to its original path. Perhaps, it’s because it’s history that it will be like that.

“Then in that case…” I said slowly, as I formed the words carefully from my thoughts, “Ben Chu should–”

Eh? Wait… Something doesn’t feel right… If Ben Chu really thinks that way, then why did she need to seek my opinion?

Should the history I know, be the history here? Is the history here really the one I know?

It seems the same in some places, but not in others.

Then–

Could it be that this history will be different?

Could it be that history will be influenced by my decisions here and now?

Then–

“… Ben Chu, I still have 1 question to ask before giving you my reply.”

“… Ask away Xuan De.”

She acted, spoke, and looked the same as usual but the Ben Chu now, was different from before. She was so much more quiet, and mature.

“Ben Chu,” I paused, and then asked the one daring question I thought of, “If Meng De is a treacherous retainer, and if the Son of Heaven requires a loyal retainer to support him, then who is the one most suitable to support the Son of Heaven?”

Un? The moment the question came out, several of Ben Chu’s retainers looked dissatisfied.

“Imperial Uncle, our lord has said it plainly enough, do you really need to ask?” Feng Ji said with an irritated look, as though she was speaking to an ignorant child.

On the other side, Tian Feng said something disdainfully as well, and turned her head away.

Just then–

“Meng De.” From the position directly in front of me, a clear and resolute voice could be heard.

“Only Meng De can rule the world in place of the Son of Heaven.” Ben Chu said again, in an even more resolute voice. And thereafter, Ben Chu smiled.

… Hu. And I, unlike the others, heaved a sigh of relief.

Perhaps that’s the way things are meant to be. Ben Chu should know that she is not as capable as Meng De, and if she should take her place, the world would descend into greater chaos.

At the end of the day, the Battle of Wu Chao probably doesn’t hold any strategic value to Ben Chu. She was just following through on her desire to defeat Meng De, and it just so happens that Meng De followed along and made a bet as well.

Though the wager, and the cost, for both sides was a little too large.

And so, after a small commotion, Ben Chu decided to take the path of reconciliation.

The next day, I accompanied Ben Chu as a middle man of sorts, to the agreed negotiation point that Ben Chu and Meng De had agreed upon before.

All I want to ask is– Has history really changed?